Toy bank



1 968 K. B. VAN WOERT, JR 3,406,976

TOY BANK Filed April 18, 1966 53 INVENTOR. KENNETH B. VAN WOERT JR.

BY 644M 4 A N-5 5;

3,406,976 TOY BANK Kenneth B. Van Woert, Jr., 1675 Pittman Ave.,

Sparks, Nev. 89431 Filed Apr. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 543,185

4 Claims. (Cl. 273143) This invention relates generally to toy savings banks, and is more particularly directed to a toy bank with is also arranged to function as an amusement device. 7

Toy banks have been heretofore provided in a variety of forms to encourage the saving of money. Frequently such banks are arranged to also. serve as amusement devices which can be only operated in response to the placement of a coin in the bank. In this manner an incentive is provided to save money. For example, the bank may be provided in the form of a slot machine which is operated when a coin is placed in a slot. Subsequent to operation of the machine, the coin drops into a coin collecting compartment which serves as the bank. Typically, the bank is provided with a mechanism by which the coin collecting compartment may be selectively opened when the machine is next operated. In fact, the machine may be provided with a coin release chute to deliver the contents of the coin collecting compartment in the manner of a jackpot, when the bank is placed in an open condition. Existing banks of the foregoing type have entailed the use of relatively complex and expensive mechanisms to effect the desired slot machine action.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine bank of simplified design and construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described having a relatively simple drum actuating mechanism of increased reliability and durability.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a bank in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view of the bank with a back cover plate removed to expose the interior mechanism thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken at line 33 of FIGURE 2, illustrating the drum actuating mechanism in unactuated position.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, but with the drum actuating mechanism in actuated position.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGURE 1 in particular, there is shown a toy bank 11 which resembles a slot machine. The bank includes a generally rectangular housing 12 formed by a front plate 13 and back cover plate 14. Both plates may be of metal, plastic, or the like, or the respective plates may be of different materials if desired. The front plate is provided with a rectangular window 16 to expose a portion of the surface of a drum 17 mounted for rotation between the sides of the plate. Various combinations of symbols 18 are provided on the drum surface at circumferentially spaced positions so as to be successively viewable through the window as the drum rotates. The front plate is also provided with a circular coin nited States Patent 3,406,976 Patented Oct. 22, 1968 receptacle 19 defining the entrance to a coin delivery chute 21 mounted on the back of the front plate. The chute 21 extends downward to a coin collecting compartment 22 having a coin release chute 23 extending to a recessed opening 24 adjacent the lower end of the front plate.

The opening 2.4 is closed by a tab 26 projecting from one end of a centrally pivoted crank 27 mounted on the front plate for movement about a horizontal axis. The opposite end of the crank from the tab is provided with a hook 28 which projects adjacent an end of the drum. The crank is loaded as by means of a spring 29 to normally rotate the crank in a direction to urge the hook against the drum. However, a selector arm 31 is provided which is pivotal about a vertical axis between first and second positions determined by a system of slots (not shown) in the cover plate 14 through which the end of the arm extends. In the first position of the arm (as shown in FIG- URE 2) it engages the crank to prevent rotation thereof into engagement with the end of the drum. In other words, th crank is held out of engagement with the drum to permit free rotation thereof. In the second position of the arm it is completely disengaged from the crank whereby the latter is rotated under the influence of the spring 29 to urge the book 28 into engagement with the end of the drum. The drum is preferably hollow and provided with a slot 32 in its end at a position which is engageable by the hook 28. When the drum is rotated, the hook engages the slot such that the crank is freed for continuation of its pivotal movement to a position wherein the tab 26 is displaced from the opening 24. In this manner the bank is opened, and the hook in engaging the slot stops the rotation of the drum at a position wherein a predetermined combination of the symbols 18, for example all jackpots, is exposed through the window 16. Of course when the selector arm 31 is in is first position, the bank cannot be opened. Moreover, a counter-Weight 33 is provided within the drum to prevent same from stopping at the position wherein the predetermined combination of symbols appears through the window, unless the slot is engaged by the hook.

To facilitate rotation of the drum 17, there is provided a drum actuating mechanism 34, which, it is particularly important to note, is of relatively simple improved design. The actuating mechanism includes a shaft 36 which is journalled for rotation between the sides of the housing 12 for rotation about a horizontal axis subjacent the drum. One end of the shaft extends through a side of a housing for attachment of an operating handle 37. An integral hub 38 is carried by the shaft adjacent the handle and a disc 39 is concentrically mounted on the hub for rotation relative thereto. The shaft is resiliently loaded by means of a spring 41 for rotation in a predetermined direction, counterclockwise. as viewed in FIG URES 3 and 4. The disc is also resiliently loaded by means of a spring 42 for rotation in the same direction, i.e., counterclockwise. A pin 43 projects radially from the disc 39 and is engageable with a stop 44 that projects inwardly from the front plate 13. In addition, a pin 46 projects radially from the hub 38 and is engageable with a stop 47 that projects longitudinally from the disc 39. The relative positions of the parts are predetermined such that when the pin 43 is engaged with the stop 44 and the pin 46 is engaged with the stop 47, the handle 37 is upright as shown in FIGURE 3. The handle may be thus rotated clockwise against the loading of the springs 41,

a 3 42 and upon release of the handle it returns to its'stopped upright position.

The actual rotation of the drum effected by the actuating mechanism 34, is faciliated by means of a pawl 48 pivotally mounted on the interior face of the disc 39 adjacent the periphery thereof. Such pawl is engageable withv a ratchet wheel 49 coupled to drum 17 and carried on the shaft 51 which journals the drum 17. The pawl is loaded by means of a spring 52 in a direction which permits the pawl to resiliently override the ratchet wheel when the handle and disc are rotated clockwise. To control the thrust for rotating the drum, a substantially I shaped latch cam 53 is pivotally mounted on the disc 39 adjacent the periphery thereof. In this regard, the pivotal axis of the cam is substantially centrally thereof and the cam is provided with a notch 54 at one end to define a reduced portion 56 terminating in a stop shoulder 57. The cam 53 is loaded by means of a spring 58 to resiliently pivot the cam in a direction to engage the reduced portion 56 against the stop 47. When the reduced portion is thus engaged with the stop, the tip of the pin 46 engages the base of the notch 54 at a position spaced from the shoulder 57. When the handle 37 is rotated from its normal upright position to in turn rotate the shaft 51, the pin engages the shoulder 57 to thereby rotate the disc clockwise to a position wherein the pawl has overriden the ratchet wheel and is positioned to engage same upon a return rotation of the disc. The opposite end of the cam from the notch 54 is provided with an eccentric cam surface 59 which extends beyond the periphery of the disc. Such cam surface is engageable with a pin 61 that projects inward from the cover plate 14. More particularly, when the pawl is positioned to engage the ratchet wheel upon a return rotation of the disc, the cam surface engages the pin 61 which thereby pivots the cam in a direction to displace the reduced portion 56 away from the stop 47, as shown in FIGURE 4. Such action disengages the stop shoulder 57 from the pin 46 whereby the disc is freed for rotation under the influence of spring 42 in a counter-clockwise direction. The pawl engages the ratchet wheel to effect rotation of the drum 17 as the disc returns to its normal stopped position as shown in FIGURE 3.

In order to prevent rotation of the shaft 36, and thus operation of the drum actuating mechanism 34, except when a coin is placed in the receptacle 19, a shaft lock ing mechanism 62 of a conventional design is operatively associated with the shaft. Such mechanism includes a coin sensing arm 63 with portions projecting into the coin chute 21. When no coin is in the receptacle 19, the arm 63 is in a normal position which causes the shaft to be locked in place. The handle 37 cannot be then operated, and the drum cannot be rotated. In response to a coin being placed in the receptacle, the portions of the arm projecting into the chute are engaged by the coin, whereupon the arm is moved to a position wherein the shaft is released for rotation. Upon rotation of the shaft, the arm 63 is moved to a further position wherein the projecting portions of the arm are clear of the chute and the coin can drop therethrough into the collecting compartment 22.

In the overall operation of the bank 11, assume that the selector arm 31 is in its first position such that the hook 28 is disengaged from the drum 17 and the tab 26 is disposed in closing relation to the opening 24. Each time a coin is placed in the receptacle 19, the shaft 36 is freed for rotation. The handle 37 may then be rotated to trigger the actuating mechanism 34 to rotate the drum 17. The coin is delivered to the collecting compartment 22. When it is desired to open the bank, the selector arm 31 is moved to its second position, thereby releasing the crank 27 such that the hook 28 is urged against the end of the drum. Now when a coin is placed in receptacle 19 and the handle 37 is rotated, the actuating mechanism 34 rotates the drum 17, but the drum is substantially immediately stopped when the hook 28 engages'the slot 32. At this time, the crank 27 pivots to displace the tab 26 from the opening 24 and release the contents of the compartment 22.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy bank comprising a substantially rectangular housing including spaced front and rear walls interconnected by side walls, said front wall having a rectangular window, a coin receptacle, and a coin release opening, a drum journalled for rotation between the side walls of said housing adjacent said window, a coin collecting compartment secured to said front wall in communication with said opening, a chute secured to said front wall and interconnecting said receptacle and compartment, a closure element movable between a normally closed position in closing relation to said opening and an open position in unobstructing relation to said opening, a closure element operating means coupled with said closure ,element and operatively associated with said drum, said operating means having selective first and second positions respectively wherein said closure element is moved to said open position in response to said drum being in a predetermined angular position and wherein said closure element is maintained in said closed position, a shaft journalled for rotation between the side walls of said housing subjacent said drum, a handle externally secured to one end of said shaft, a disc mounted for rotation relative to said shaft, means spring loading said shaft for rotation in a predetermined direction, means spring loading said disc for rotation in said predetermined direction, stop means associated with said disc for stopping same in a predetermined position, a pin projecting from said shaft, second stop means carried by said disc and engageable by said pin for stopping said shaft in a predetermined position relative to said disc, a latch cam pivotally mounted on said disc, means spring loading said cam into engagement with said second stop means and said pin, release means projecting from the rear wall of said housing and engageable with said cam in response to rotation of said disc a predetermined angle from said predetermined position thereof to pivot said cam out of engagement with said pin, a pawl carried by said disc, a ratchet wheel coupled to said drum and engageable with said pawl, and a shaft locking mechanism associated with said shaft and said chute for locking said shaft in the absence of a coin in said receptacle and releasing said shaft in the presence of a coin in said receptacle.

2. A toy bank according to claim 1, further defined by said latch cam being of substantially J-shaped configuration and having a notch at one end defining a reduced portion terminating in a stop shoulder, said reduced portion being engageable with said second stop means and said pin, said stop shoulder being engageable with said pin, said cam having an eccentric cam surface projecting beyond the periphery of said disc for engagement with said release means, said cam being pivoted against the spring loading thereof upon engagement of said cam surface with said release means.

3. A toy bank according to claim 1, further defined by said closure element operating means comprising a centrally pivoted crank having said closure element projecting from a first end thereof and a hook projecting from a second end thereof receivable in a slot in an end of said drum, means spring loading said crank for rotation in the direction of said end'of'said drum, and a selector arm pivotally mounted for movement between a first position wherein said arm engages said crank to prevent rotation thereof in the direction of said end of said drum and a second position wherein said arm is disengaged from said crank, said crank being pivoted by the spring loading thereof responsive to reception of said hook in said slot to a position wherein said closure element is unobstructing to said opening.

4. A toy bank according to claim 2, further defined by said closure element operating means comprising a centrally pivoted crank having said closure element projecting from a first end thereof and a hook projecting from a second end thereof receivable in a slot in an end of said drum, means spring loading said crank for rotation in the direction of said end of said drum, and a selector arm pivotally mounted for movement between a, first position wherein said arm engages said crank to prevent rotation thereof in the direction of said end of said drum and a second position wherein said arm is disengaged from said crank, said crank being pivoted by the spring loading thereof responsive to reception of said hook in said slot to a position wherein said closure element is unobstructing to said opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,650,686 9/1953 Bigue.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

0 A. W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TOY BANK COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR HOUSING INCLUDING SPACED FRONT AND REAR WALLS INTERCONNECTED BY SIDE WALLS, SAID FRONT WALL HAVING A RECTANGULAR WINDOW, A COIN RECEPTACLE, AND A COIL RELEASE OPENING, A DRUM JOURNALLED FOR ROTATION BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID WINDOW, A COIN COLLECTING COMPARTMENT SECURED TO SAID FRONT WALL IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID OPENING, A CHUTE SECURED TO SAID FRONT WALL AND INTERCONNECTING SAID RECEPTACLE AND COMPARTMENT, A CLOSURE ELEMENT MOVABLE BETWEEN A NORMALLY CLOSED POSITION IN CLOSING RELATION TO SAID OPENING AND AN OPEN POSITION IN UNOBSTRUCTING RELATION TO SAID OPENING, A CLOSURE ELEMENT OPERATING MEANS COUPLED WITH SAID CLOSURE ELEMENT AND OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DRUM, SAID OPERATING MEANS HAVING SELECTIVE FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS RESPECTIVELY WHEREIN SAID CLOSURE ELEMENT IS MOVED TO SAID OPEN POSITION IN RESPONSE TO SAID DRUM BEING IN A PREDETERMINED ANGULAR POSITION AND WHEREIN SAID CLOSURE ELEMENT IS MAINTAINED IN SAID CLOSED POSITION, A SHAFT JOURNALLED FOR ROTATION BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID HOUSING SUBJACENT SAID DRUM, A HANDLE EXTERNALLY SECURED TO ONE END OF SAID SHAFT, A DISC MOUNTED FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID SHAFT, MEANS SPRING LOADING SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION, MEANS SPRING LOADING SAID DISC FOR ROTATION IN SAID PREDETERMINED DIRECTION, STOP MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DISC PING SAME IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION, A PIN PROJECTING FROM THE SHAFT, SECOND STOP MEANS CARRIED BY SAID DISC AND ENGAGEABLE BY SAID PIN FOR STOPPING SAID SHAFT IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID DISC, A LATCH CAM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID DISC, MEANS SPRING LOADING SAID CAM INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SECOND STOP MEANS AND SAID PIN, RELEASE MEANS PROJECTING FROM THE REAR WALL AND SAID HOUSING AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CAM IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID DISC A PREDETERMINED ANGLE FROM SAID PREDETERMINED POSITION THEREOF TO PIVOT SAID CAM SAID DISC, ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PIN, A PAWL CARRIED BY SAID DISC, A RATCHET WHEEL COUPLED TO SAID DRUM AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID PAWL, AND A SHAFT LOCKING MECHANISM ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SHAFT AND SAID CHUTE FOR LOCKING SAID SHAFT IN THE ABSENCE OF A COIN IN SAID RECEPTACLE AND RELEASING SAID SHAFT IN THE PRESENCE OF A COIN IN SAID RECEPTACLE. 